Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts

Join the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and the Town of Oro Valley as they partner to present the largest holiday community celebration of arts and culture in Southern Arizona on December 3rd and 4th, 2022, at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The community is invited to experience the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, with an immersive and festive experience for all!

OVER 130 VENDORS & ARTISANS
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES
TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
FREE PICTURES WITH SANTA
30+ MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES
TUBA CHRISTMAS
FOOD VENDORS & EXHIBITORS
ARTS & CRAFTS ACTIVITIES

The Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration is the essence of creative placemaking, cultivating the arts as an essential part of Oro Valley’s identity. The two-day festival is one of Southern Arizona’s largest community arts celebrations, with over 130 artisans, over 30 performances by student and local musicians, family art activities, food trucks, the TUBACHRISTMAS holiday play-along, and free photos with Santa in front of the Golder Ranch Fire Truck!

Festivities culminate in the Oro Valley holiday tree lighting at 6:00 PM on December 3. The festival brings the community together, stimulates the local economy, enhances surrounding businesses, and provides opportunities for local artists to promote their work. SAACA produces the annual event in partnership with the Town of Oro Valley and Oro Valley Marketplace, a Town West Realty property, with additional support by the Lisa Bayless Team, 94.9 Mix FM, and by local businesses and media organizations.

FINE ART, CRAFTS AND HANDMADE GIFTS

Only one week after Thanksgiving, the Oro Valley Marketplace is transformed into a holiday marketplace complete with handmade craft artisans from around the world. This is your antidote to the big-box madness of holiday shopping. By bringing together craft artists of the highest caliber to a single event, the Holiday Festival of Arts is a one-stop holiday shopping opportunity for unique, handmade gifts at various prices. Browse over 130 artisans to find that perfect one-of-a-kind gift for your family and friends.

Holiday gift wrapping will be made available as a Holiday fundraiser for local organizations.
A complete list of participating artists can be found online at
https://www.saaca.org/ovholidayfestival.html

ORO VALLEY HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

The crowning moment of the festival will take place on Saturday evening when the 35-foot holiday tree towering over the Marketplace is lit at 6:00 PM. The Tree Lighting Celebration festivities begin at 3:00 PM on Saturday and will feature live entertainment from local students, activities for children, cookie decorating and games with the Oro Valley Youth Advisory Council, activities with the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation, puppet shows, holiday caroling, ornament making and crafts with Lucky Cat Social Art and photos with Santa!

Saturday 3:00 PM-6:00 PM, near the North event stage next to the Holiday Tree
• The arrival of the Santa Procession Parade
• Cookie Decorating with Oro Valley Youth Advisory Council
• Free Photos with Santa and the Golder Ranch Fire Truck (3:30 PM-5:30 PM)
• Arts Activities
• Puppet shows with Red Herring Puppets (3:00 PM and 4:00 PM)
• Strolling Carolers
• Reading of the Polar Express with the Oro Valley Police Department Chief Kara Riley and Golder Ranch Fire Chief Randy Karrer (5:30 PM)
• (Host Andrew Capasso of FOX 11 / KOLD, Welcome by Oro Valley Mayor Winfield, Color Guard, Star-Spangled Banner, Remarks by OVPD Chief Riley and OV Chamber of Commerce CEO)

The Oro Valley Holiday Tree will come to life on Saturday, December 3rd at 6pm!

TUBACHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 2:00PM

TUBACHRISTMAS is a music concert held in cities worldwide that celebrates those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium. Join over 100 euphoniums at TUBACHRISTMAS at the Festival of the Arts with holiday sing and play-along favorites.
FOOD VENDORS

The Festival of the Arts features food trucks and vendors in a variety of genres. Whether you’re looking for a festival staple like kettle corn or freshly fried donuts, a unique grilled cheese sandwich, or savory pastry, the Festival of the Arts is the place to be for holiday favorites.
• The Culinary Graduate Food Truck – Fun gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches
• Mobile Food Concepts – Greek Food and Festival Food Specialties
• Cook’s Kettle Corn – Fresh Popped Kettle & Butter corn, Lemonades, Caramel Apples, Cotton Candy​
• Eatgypt – Vegetarian and Egyptian Cuisine
• Tucson Tea Company – Artisan Beverages and Gourmet Baked Goods
• Mr. Ice Guy / Colonel Mustard’s – Bratwurst, Hot Dogs, and Italian Ice
• Greater Faith Word Church International – BBQ, Chicken, Pulled Pork, Hamburgers
• Jozarellis – Italian Cuisine

ARTS ACTIVITY STATION

Saturday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Sunday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

• Oro Valley Coloring Pages Grab & Go Kits
• Wooden Holiday Ornament Making with Lucky Cat Social Art
• Handmade Holiday Greeting Card Station for Overseas Troops
• Comic Bookmobile
LIVE PERFORMANCES ON THE EVENT MAINSTAGE

Saturday, December 3, 2022
10:00 AM Holiday Music DJ
11:00 AM Cross Middle School Jazz Combo
12:00 PM Maguire Academy of Irish Dance
12:40 PM Leman Academy of Excellence Youth Choir
1:15 PM Oro Valley Team Dance
2:00 PM Tuba Christmas
3:00 PM PARADE
3:30 PM Ironwood High School Jazz Band
4:00 PM Wilson Elementary Chorus
4:20 PM Wilson Middle School Chorus
4:45 PM Tucson Girls Chorus
5:15 PM Kids Unlimited

Strolling Carolers – Arizona Women’s Chorus (12:00PM – 2:00PM) and Havin’ a Blast A Cappela Chorus (3:00PM – 6:00PM)

Sunday, December 4, 2022
10:00 AM Holiday Music DJ
11:00 AM Saguaro Stompers Clog Dance Company
11:45 AM Lauren Lawson
12:40 PM It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play – Saguaro City Music Theatre
1:00 PM Celtic Steps
1:45 PM Darwin and Evolution
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Holiday Music DJ

Strolling Carolers – Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)

JOIN OUR PARTNERS 94.9 MIX FM FOR A HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH JOHN TESH
Swing into the Christmas Season with 94.9 MIXfm presents John Tesh ‘
A Jazzy Swinging Christmas‘ Friday, December 2nd at Desert Diamond Casino’s Diamond Center on Pima Mine Road & I-19.